By operation of the Congressional Review Act, the Stream Protection Rule shall be treated as if it had never taken effect. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement issues this document to effect the removal of any amendments, deletions or other modifications made by the nullified rule, and the reversion to the text of the regulations in effect immediately prior to the effective date of the Stream Protection Rule.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE or OSM), are revising our regulations, based on, among other things, advances in science, to improve the balance between environmental protection and the Nation's need for coal as a source of energy. This final rule will better protect water supplies, surface water and groundwater quality, streams, fish, wildlife, and related environmental values from the adverse impacts of surface coal mining operations and provide mine operators with a regulatory framework to avoid water pollution and the long-term costs associated with water treatment. We have revised our regulations to define “material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area” and require that each permit specify the point at which adverse mining-related impacts on groundwater and surface water would reach that level of damage; collect adequate premining data about the site of the proposed mining operation and adjacent areas to establish an adequate baseline for evaluation of the impacts of mining and the effectiveness of reclamation; adjust monitoring requirements to enable timely detection and correction of any adverse trends in the quality or quantity of surface water and groundwater or the biological condition of streams; ensure protection or restoration of perennial and intermittent streams and related resources; ensure that permittees and regulatory authorities make use of advances in science and technology; ensure that land disturbed by mining operations is restored to a condition capable of supporting the uses that it was capable of supporting before mining; and update and codify the requirements and procedures for protection of threatened or endangered species and designated critical habitat. Approximately thirty percent of the final rule consists of editorial revisions and organizational changes intended to improve consistency, clarity, accuracy, and ease of use.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), announce the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Stream Protection Rule developed pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are announcing the schedule for public hearings on the proposed Stream Protection Rule and the accompanying Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

Proposed rule.

Electronic or written comments: We will accept electronic or written comments on the proposed rule, the draft environmental impact statement, and the draft regulatory impact analysis on or before September 25, 2015.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE or OSM), are proposing to revise our regulations, based on, among other things, advances in science, to improve the balance between environmental protection and the Nation's need for coal as a source of energy. This proposed rule would better protect streams, fish, wildlife, and related environmental values from the adverse impacts of surface coal mining operations and provide mine operators with a regulatory framework to avoid water pollution and the long-term costs associated with water treatment. We propose to revise our regulations to clearly define “material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area” and require that each permit specify the point at which adverse mining-related impacts on groundwater and surface water would reach that level of damage; collect adequate premining data about the site of the proposed mining operation and adjacent areas to establish an adequate baseline for evaluation of the impacts of mining and the effectiveness of reclamation; adjust monitoring requirements to enable timely detection and correction of any adverse trends in the quality or quantity of surface water and groundwater or the biological condition of streams; ensure protection or restoration of perennial and intermittent streams and related resources; ensure that permittees and regulatory authorities make use of advances in science and technology; ensure that land disturbed by mining operations is restored to a condition capable of supporting the uses that it was capable of supporting before mining; and update and codify the requirements and procedures for protection of threatened or endangered species and designated critical habitat. The proposed changes would apply to both surface mines and the surface effects of underground mines. The majority of the proposed revisions update our regulations to incorporate or reflect the best available science and experience gained over the last 30 years. Approximately thirty percent of the proposed rule consists of editorial revisions and organizational changes intended to improve consistency, clarity, accuracy, and ease of use.

2015-02-05; vol. 80 # 24 - Thursday, February 5, 2015

80 FR 6435 - Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program; Limited Liability for Noncoal Reclamation by Certified States and Indian Tribes

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

Final rule.

Effective March 9, 2015.

30 CFR Parts 700, 875, 877, 879, 884, and 885

Summary

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE or OSM), are revising our abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation program regulations under Title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). This rule allows states and Indian tribes that have certified completion of all known coal AML reclamation needs within their jurisdiction to receive limited liability protection for certain noncoal reclamation projects.

2013-02-06; vol. 78 # 25 - Wednesday, February 6, 2013

78 FR 8822 - Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program; Limited Liability for Noncoal Reclamation by Certified States and Indian Tribes

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

Proposed rule.

Electronic or written comments: We will accept written comments on the proposed rule on or before April 8, 2013. Public hearings: If you wish to testify at a public hearing, you must submit a request before 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time, on March 8, 2013. We will hold a public hearing only if there is sufficient interest. Hearing arrangements, dates and times, if any, will be announced in a subsequent Federal Register notice. If you require reasonable accommodation to attend a public hearing, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT .

30 CFR Parts 700, 875, 879, 884, and 885

Summary

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are proposing changes to our abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation program regulations under title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). If finalized, the changes would allow states and Indian tribes that have certified correction of all known coal AML problems within their jurisdiction to receive limited liability protection for certain noncoal reclamation activities.